Tempered glass, also known as toughened glass, is a type of safety glass that is used in a variety of applications such as automobile windows, shower doors, skylights, and building windows. Tempered glass is much stronger than regular glass and is designed to shatter into small, rounded pieces instead of sharp shards, reducing the risk of injury.
How is tempered glass manufactured?
Tempered glass is made by subjecting regular glass to a process called tempering. The process involves heating the glass to a very high temperature and then rapidly cooling it down. This creates a surface layer of compressive stress, while the core of the glass remains under tensile stress. The difference in stress between the surface and the core of the glass makes it much stronger and more resistant to breakage.
The process of tempering begins with the selection of high-quality float glass.refrigerator door. The glass is then cut to the desired size and shape. Next, any edges that are sharp or uneven are ground down to ensure that the glass is even in thickness and smooth on the edges. After this, the glass is washed to remove any dust or debris that might be present.
The glass is then placed in a tempering oven, which heats the glass to a temperature of around 620°C (1150°F) for a period of time. This temperature is just below the softening point of the glass. The glass is heated uniformly to prevent any uneven stress in the glass.
Once the glass has reached the desired temperature, it is quickly cooled down by a blast of cold air. This causes the surface layer of the glass to cool much faster than the core, creating the compressive stress on the surface.
The resulting tempered glass is much stronger than regular glass and is able to withstand much more force before breaking. In addition, tempered glass is more heat-resistant and can withstand sudden changes in temperature better than regular glass.
Conclusion
Tempered glass is an important safety feature in many applications where glass is used. It is much stronger and more resistant to breakage than regular glass, and is designed to shatter into small, rounded pieces to reduce the risk of injury. The process of tempering involves heating the glass to a very high temperature and then rapidly cooling it down to create a surface layer of compressive stress. This process makes tempered glass much stronger and more resistant to breakage than regular glass, and it is used in a wide range of applications where safety is a concern.